Failure of the Farm Bill -- and Beyond

Dairy economists explore the whys and what ifs of the long over-due farm legislation.

Dairy economists Dr. Mark Stephenson of the University of Wisconsin and Dr. Andy Novakovic of Cornell University explore the recently failed farm bill and its path forward in a new 16-minute podcast.

The two analysts discuss their insights into the Goodlatte/Scott amendment and the proposed supply management program for dairy, as well as Republican-Democrat voting motivations. They also ponder the chances for a new farm bill by September and the options if new legislation isn’t passed by then.

Novakovic also explains why he thinks the call to split the farm bill into two segments – a nutrition assistance and a farm-only portion – is "dangerous thinking."

Stephenson takes the discussion deeper into dairy territory by asking about the consequences of not having a national dairy policy.